Floyd Mayweather Wants to Fight Manny Pacquiao Again; But Boxing Fans, Not So Much

After coming face-to-face in Japan on Friday, Floyd Mayweather said on Instagram that he’s going to come out of retirement to fight Manny Pacquiao for a second time. But the prospect of a rematch of the two fighters’ record-breaking — but panned — 2015 fight left many boxing fans on social media feeling apathetic at best.

Three years ago, Pacquiao and Mayweather went head-to-head in Las Vegas, fulfilling boxing fans’ dreams of the matchup as the two rose to the top of the sport. The fight earned a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys, each sold at a record $100.

But the fight itself was largely panned in the boxing community and is regarded as one of the sport’s biggest duds. Mayweather won the fight easily by unanimous decision, while Pacquiao landed only 81 punches in a match that was criticized for not having enough action.

Mayweather, meanwhile, was accused by fans of dodging Pacquiao in his prime, as the then 37-year-old boxer had lost the WBO Welterweight title and his 15-match winning streak three years prior, followed a few months later by a knockout defeat to Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez. Nevertheless, the fight was a huge payday for Mayweather, earning him $300 million. In 2017, Mayweather then came out of retirement and improved his record to 50-0 with a win over former UFC champion Conor McGregor that was better received and earned him an additional $200 million.

Now Mayweather wants another go at Pacquiao, who won the WBA Welterweight Title last month with the 60th victory of his career. Mayweather called the fight “another 9 figure pay day on my way,” but fan reaction to news of such a fight thus far is tepid.

would have been a really cool fight 10 years ago when they both didn’t want to fight in their primes

10 Highest-Grossing Boxing Movies of All Time - From 'Rocky' to 'Million Dollar Baby' (Photos)

A number of boxing movies have cleaned up at the box office -- mostly those starring Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa. Now that "Creed II" is entering theaters, also starring -- you guessed it -- Sly Stallone, let's look at the highest-grossing boxing films of all time.

9. Rocky Balboa (2006) Domestic gross: $70.3 million - Thirty years after his first fight, Rocky Balboa (Stallone) comes out of retirement and steps into the ring for his final fight against the reigning heavyweight champion, Mason "The Line" Dixon.

MGM

8. Rocky II (1979) Domestic gross: $79. 2 million - Rocky (Stallone) struggles in family life after his losing match against Apollo Creed, but the defeated champ goads him into a rematch so that Rocky can pay his bills.

MGM

7. Real Steel (2011) Domestic gross: $85.5 million - The movie stars Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo and Evangeline Lilly, and follows a man who thinks he found a champion in a discarded robot -- in the future, robot boxing has become the go-to sport.

6. The Fighter (2010) Domestic gross: $93.6 million - Starring Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams and Christian Bale, the film gives us a look at the starting years of boxer "Irish" Micky Ward and his brother, who helped him train before going pro.

5. Million Dollar Baby (2004) Domestic gross: $100.4 million - Starring Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Jay Baruchel and Morgan Freeman, the film follows a determined woman who trains with a hardened boxing trainer to become a professional.

2. Rocky III (1982) Domestic gross: $125 million - Rocky (Stallone) has been holding the title of heavyweight champion until he is defeated by a challenger -- then, he must regain his title by defeating his previous opponent: Apollo Creed.

As Adonis Creed returns to the ring, we look at the box office’s most prestigious pugilists

A number of boxing movies have cleaned up at the box office -- mostly those starring Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa. Now that "Creed II" is entering theaters, also starring -- you guessed it -- Sly Stallone, let's look at the highest-grossing boxing films of all time.